“We CAN make a difference, Papa!” I tried to reassure my father, who’d been expressing anger at the unstoppable damage being done to the earth, our precious home. At eight years old, I wanted him to feel better and to believe something could be done. I was full of optimism, joy, and compassion – I often cartwheeled through the house, but also ached deeply for those who were suffering.

Bit by bit, I learned to sideline these qualities, along with the unique details about my life journey. I was determined to successfully play the professional game while aching to have a significant impact on the issues I cared about. I conformed to messages about how to be seen as competent and created a shield of easy confidence. It worked well. I eventually became an international consultant, leading projects for major organizations working to improve social and economic systems. It was my dream work, but behind the scenes I struggled to feel like the “right” kind of leader. I found myself striving, self-doubting, self-sacrificing, and either burning out or numbing out. I was stoically treating myself like a big old pick-up truck, taking on the weight of the world, but never quite measuring-up. I was bringing a fraction of my true power and wisdom but felt drained by the endless effort to meet all my internalized standards and expectations. 

When I got the unexpected call about my grandfather’s death, things started to change. I hadn’t seen him for a couple years and deeply regretted not spending time with him in his last moments. Suddenly my striving felt meaningless. That experience, among others, challenged me to refocus. I realized I’d been sacrificing the parts of myself that offer important antidotes to the troubles of our time: awe at the power of beauty and connection, trust in my intuitive and relational nature, and compassion for the complex quilt of human experiences, including my own. Reclaiming these leadership gifts in my work and life felt radical and important, even though it looked different than what I’d imagined.   

I now see the ripple effects of leading with gentleness, compassion, beauty, and nature wisdom in my executive coaching, facilitation, and leadership development work. I trust my intuition, feel less anxiety and more joy. Most importantly, I focus my energy where it most naturally flows, creating contexts where purpose-driven professionals around the world reconnect with their own unique power in service of a greater good. Together, we are creating the foundational ripples for more just, compassionate, and life-sustaining systems.

Credentials I bring to my work:

• 5+ years coaching global purpose-driven leaders in corporate and NGO settings in support of individual and organizational transformation

• Projects for the United Nations, the International Rescue Committee, XL Construction, African Leadership Group, Align Leadership

• 10+ years’ workshop design and facilitation for professionals from 18+ countries in leadership development, systems-thinking, and gender equity

• 10+ years’ designing, implementing, and advising for economic and social development programs

• Certified ICF Coach, certified Integral Coach®, Enneagram in Business Coach®, and Enneagram I.D.E.A. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism) Facilitator®. Graduate of Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead program and “Art of Hosting” facilitator training.

• Extensive training and study of the Enneagram personality system, experience coaching hundreds of leaders around the world to better understand themselves using this powerful tool

• Master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and Sciences Po, Paris

 A bit more about me…

I am a wild mountain adventuress born and raised in Colorado. I’ve hiked, climbed, trekked, and/or skied on four continents. As part of a transformative Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, I met the love of my life and now live with my family in Barcelona where we enjoy great music, food, and being involved in community projects.